Flashdance weekend

Thanks for all the funny Flashdance comments from yesterday. You guys should get a comedy gig somewhere.

Saturday

Yes, Jason and Mr Rooney, our fabulous builder, make a formidable team. 

Mr Rooney measuring 

Mr Rooney gave Jason a crash course in arc welding 101, hence the welding masks in the previous post. Together, they welded a cross beam onto the stair posts and drilled and welded brackets for the joists. 

Jason channeling Jennifer Beals

Afterwards, Jason said he felt like the chick from Flashdance; the only knowledge of welding he could draw upon. 

Mr Rooney broke into a song and dance routine to rival Irene Cara and Jennifer Beals. It was 1983 again at the Sow's Ear - you had to be there. 

Cross beam attached to the white posts. The old stairs will be decommissioned at the last possible minute.
Thoughtful Mr Rooney attached rings for a swing for Son #3.

Mr Rooney is also not one to let free labour go to waste. He recruited Sons #1 and #2 to unscrew the old hinges on the timber casement windows (the ones we bought from Will), explaining carefully how to use the drill. 

The boys did a marvellous job. Son #1 made sandwiches for Jason and Mr Rooney (I was out with the other children) without even being asked. He must've liked hanging out with the guys.

Jason helping the boys with the windows

While the kids were working, Mr Rooney and Jason started formulating plans for fitting the casement windows into the sunroom.  It won't be a case of taking out one window and replacing it with another - nothing is square, so it's going to be a fiddly job!

One window was sacrificed as a template - to use for sizing and general experimenting.

They decided that the next day would be set aside to work on the windows -  making them exactly the same size, perfectly square, sanded and rebated for installation.

Sunday

Mr Rooney set up a joinery workshop in our garage and carport. He then gave Jason a crash course in Joinery 101. Mr Rooney is a born educator and Jason has learnt more this weekend than ever before.

Precision is the name of the game for Jason

Sons #1 and #2 were given the task of sanding down the windows.  Again, Mr Rooney explained everything carefully and gave them each an orbital sander. 

It was like the dueling sanders down there. We've never seen the two boys any happier and they'll have a good memory of their first foray into power tools. They did another marvellous job. 

#1 Son in the sweat shop

In the afternoon, I took all the boys to the park while Jason and Mr Rooney got stuck into the heavier duty power tools - the table saw and router. 

When we came back, seven sets of window were perfectly sized and finished on the front lawn. They will be an excellent starting point when installing windows in a non-square house like the Sow's Ear.

Hopscotch Casement window and son #1 with safety-wear

Jason and Mr Rooney worked extremely hard this weekend. I don't think Jason has ever enjoyed renovating  as much as he has this weekend. He was so happy which is never ever the case after working on the house. 

So, thank you Mr Rooney. You're good company and a top fellow.

A well-deserved beer for the men, lollies for the kids.